Eye for a LiE Leans On Rock Favorites, Brings Own Intensity

See Them Live: Thursday, Nov. 14, 9 p.m., at The Phoenix on Dickson Street in Fayetteville. Joined by Mississippi Mud and Day After Mourning.

By Terrah Baker

Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, there was this genre called Modern Rock. It produced life-altering and timeless songs that expressed the pain, anguish and deep emotion that permeated the culture and generation. Few genres have lived up to this task, but bands like Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Deftones and Tool took musical expression to a new level of intensity.

Today, amongst a pop culture and local onslaught of wispy, soft rhythmic sounds, local band Eye for a LiE is helping take us back to the good ol’ days of rock.

The band is made up of Pam Tegtmeyer on deep, yet harmonic vocals; Jonathan Tegtmeyer on guitar; Shane Magie on drums, equipped with a double bass peddle that has a strong presence in their songs; and Gil Comeaux on the hard-hitting bass. It’s obvious they’re comfortable with their instruments when you hear them play; and they should be, since each have been in and out of local bands for an average of 10 years. That’s one reason, they said, it was easy to prove their worth in the NWA concert circuit — their previous work introduced them to venue owners at George’s Majestic Lounge and the like, who, after hearing them, hired them to open for nationally known names.

NWA is as far as they’ve traveled to play, since all of the members have full-time jobs, responsibilities and families to boot — keeping the band their hobby, passion and outlet. That’s why at each live show they bring their all, and focus on the audience having a great experience.

“We’re not a studio band, where we focus on laying down a flawless track, because our focus is on putting on a great live show,” said bass player Comeaux.

The members said after some dysfunctional band experiences, and attempting to come into their music-own while living busy lives, they’re just excited to find mates they can sit down and have fun with. But it’s not all fun and games. The band is also keeping their commitment to local success serious by putting out a demo album with three self-written songs, and currently working on a studio album scheduled to be out in Spring 2014.

The sound of their four-track demo is a rock-lovers relief in the Fayetteville music scene. Like all good rock bands, their music produces raw and powerful sounds that get the adrenaline pumping and allows the edge of society to be thrown off.

Varying from the modern sounds of Shinedown, Chevelle, Staind and other favorites, they use their music to focus on situationally exposing lyrics — tackling subjects of substance abuse, missed opportunities and broken relationships, but also hope and empowerment. Like any well-put-together rock group, their lyrics embody the emotional struggles and revelations of their time, while the music hammers it home.

“It’s about personal experience that you may have had that’s similar to what other people are going through. Whether it be a loss of a best friend, family member, dealing with relationship issues,” Comeaux said. “We’re all over 30, we all have careers, families and this is different for us then a 19-and 20-year-old. We’ve lived a lot between all of us, so a lot of that comes out in our songs.”

Future aspirations for Eye for a LiE include their upcoming album and some traveling, if they can find the time. Most importantly, they want to have fun, enjoy their outlet and spread their wisdom and talent to audiences willing to take it in. To learn more about the band, hear their music, and get in touch, visit www.reverbnation.com/eyeforalie or www.facebook.com/EyeforaLiE.

3 Comments

Great article. I caught these cats at George’s a few months back. Their lyrics cut to the bone and carry a level of maturity that surpasses a run of the mill garage band. This is true talent. And also what’s hotter than a chick rocker with rockin pipes?!